Parade the Circle returns on June 13, 2026 This year’s theme, inspired by American Printed Silks, 1927–1947, explores momentum in our everyday lives

CLEVELAND (April 3, 2026)—Mark your calendars for noon on Saturday, June 13, 2026, for the Cleveland Museum of Art’s (CMA) beloved Parade the Circle. Returning for its 34th year, the annual parade features colorful costumes, towering puppets, imaginative floats, and intricately crafted masks. This year’s theme, “Momentum,” is inspired by the special exhibition American Printed Silks, 1927–1947 (opens in a new tab), on view at the CMA through November 8, 2026. All skill levels and artistic disciplines are encouraged to participate in the parade and watching the parade is free for all. 

Following the Parade, you can meet the puppets on the Fine Arts Campus (South Lawn). The CMA also hosts a specially curated Family Play Day from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.in the Ames Family Atrium featuring puppets from past Parades. Play Days at the CMA are free opportunities for families to be creative and curious and connect through art together.  

Momentum 

Parade the Circle’s annual theme, chosen by acclaimed lead artist Héctor Castellanos Lara and influenced by American Printed Silks, 1927–1947, celebrates our lived experience, legacy, and the evolution of our creative community. “Our stories—some of sacrifice and resilience—are momentous and unyielding,” said Castellanos Lara. “Breathless and energized, our own momentum pushes us to innovate. Let’s harness the power of this creative energy together, express ourselves, and keep celebrating. Creativity in motion stays in motion.” 
 
It is this creativity that brings artists and visitors alike back to Parade the Circle every year. A treasured large-scale event, drawing crowds in the tens of thousands every June, Parade the Circle welcomes families, friends, neighbors, community groups, churches, artists, and performers to express their creativity, show their talent, and celebrate the arts.  

Poster design award winner and illustration student at Cleveland Institute of Art, Sara Srun, states, “My design, ‘Forms of Life,’ consists of playful figures and symbols of the sun, forming a rhythmic pattern to express whimsicality, uniqueness, and confidence. I was inspired by the exhibition, American Printed Silks 1927–1947, and lead artist Héctor Castellanos Lara's personal connection with it. I wanted to communicate the joy of celebrating resilience, creativity, dedication and change for a better world.” 

New Workstations at CMA’s Community Arts Center (CAC) 

This year, for the very first time, the CAC is serving as the primary makerspace for Parade the Circle. The CAC is the museum’s vibrant, art-making hub located on the near west side and is considered the “home” for Parade the Circle. Anyone is welcome to visit the CAC to see vibrant floats, puppets, and costumes come to life!  

Workshop opportunities are held Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00–4:00 p.m., May 1 through June 7 at the CAC; the tent at East Bell Commons opens to the public and artists on May 29 to serve as a final assembly and staging area through the day of the parade. The CAC is located inside the Pivot Center at 2937 West 25th Street. Free parking is accessible via Castle Avenue. 
 

“We are excited to bring the workshop space to the CAC,” says Jordan Jiménez, Sally and Larry Sears Director of Community Arts. “This year’s artists have the opportunity to create their works while being inspired by past ensembles displayed in the CAC’s gallery.”  

More information on the many ways to participate—including featured artist opportunities and group registration—are listed below and can be found our Parade the Circle website.  

Circle Village 

Presented by University Circle Inc., Circle Village serves as a community hub in the middle of the Parade activity. From 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Wade Oval, visitors are invited to immerse themselves in interactive activities offered by local institutions such as the Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland Botanical Garden, the Cleveland Aquarium, and more. Local food trucks will also be on site. For more information about Circle Village, visit universitycircle.org (opens in a new tab). 

About Héctor Castellanos Lara 

Originally from Guatemala, Castellanos Lara has called Cleveland his home for more than 30 years, sharing his passion for art and cultural expression with the Cleveland community. He is the founder of Cleveland’s annual Day of the Dead celebration and cofounder of ALU (Artistas Latinos Unidos), an association dedicated to promoting Latino artists. 

Related Programming 

Parade Info Sessions 

Friday, April 3, 2026, 5:30–7:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 4, 2026, 1:00–2:30 p.m. 

Community Arts Center 

Free; No Ticket Required 

Are you interested in performing in Parade the Circle as a featured artist or forming a performance group? Expand your practice or try something new! Join us on either date and learn from parade experts on what it takes to think creatively, what to consider when constructing a float or puppet, and how to apply movement.  

All skill levels and artistic disciplines are encouraged to participate in the parade. Each session includes information on how to register or apply for artist opportunities, workspaces, and materials, as well as overviews of masks, costumes, and large performing structures, followed by a close-looking tour of Parade the Circle: Celebrating 30 Years of Art and Community in the Community Arts Center gallery. 

Register to Perform in the Parade 

Parade the Circle, Saturday, June 13, 2026, 12:00–4:00 p.m. 

Location: Wade Oval 

Ticket Required to Perform 

Registration closes: Sunday, May 10, 2026 

Group leaders are responsible for communication between their group and the museum and gain access to the following educational resources: 

• Consultation with professional parade staff at the Community Arts Center for ideation, creation, and workspace
• Participation in a hands-on material-learning workshop series at the Community Arts Center
• Docent-led tours of American Printed Silks, 1927–1947 on select Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons 

All those performing in the parade must adhere to the event guidelines. For more information, please contact parade@clevelandart.org. 

Community Arts Center Parade Studios | Centro de Artes Comunitarias Estudios de Desfile 

Weekly on Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00–4:00 p.m., Friday, May 1, 2026, through Sunday, June 7, 2026 

Community Arts Center 

Free; No Registration Required | Gratis; No Se Requiere Reserva 

This year, for the very first time, the CMA Community Arts Center (CAC) is serving as the primary makerspace for Parade the Circle. The CAC is the museum’s vibrant, art-making hub located on the near west side and is considered the “home” for Parade the Circle. Anyone is welcome to visit the CAC to see vibrant floats, puppets, and costumes come to life!  

Parade the Circle has opportunities for people of all ages, skill levels, and abilities. Individuals, families, and teens can use this time to get to know parade artists, lend a hand, and engage in the creative process. Those interested in joining a performing group have the opportunity to explore options with other creatives and artist leaders in the space to learn more about how to make their vision come to life. 

Prospective parade participants must register their group by May 10. No new groups are accepted after this date. These sessions at the CAC replace the former tent workshop model that long-term participants may be familiar with. 

All those performing in the Parade must adhere to the event guidelines. 

Parade the Circle: Featured Artist Opportunity 

Community Arts Center 

Apply for a Featured Artist Opportunity 

This year, for the first time, the CMA is inviting artists of all disciplines and professional levels to submit their portfolio and proposal for a featured artist opportunity. Parade the Circle, like many other creative endeavors, is a process-focused and collaborative experience. Artists are encouraged to draw on their own strengths and to be open to learning and collaborating with parade experts, volunteers, and community members.   

This year’s theme, “Momentum,” is inspired by the special exhibition American Printed Silks, 1927–1947, the lived experience of acclaimed lead artist Héctor Castellanos Lara, and the legacy and evolution of our creative community. Those interested in applying for a featured artist opportunity are highly encouraged to view the exhibition. Docent-led tours are available on select Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons.  

All selected featured artists can participate in the Parade Leadership Learning Workshop Series at the Community Arts Center (CAC).  

Some of the featured artists are provided with a temporary studio space at the CAC, where guests to the space have opportunities to engage with them and view the creative process. Selected works remain on display at the CAC following the parade as determined by the CMA with permission of the artist.  

Selected artists are also invited to work as independent contractors for the CMA, beginning in April and running through the event. Compensation is provided at $1,500, paid upon completion of the ensemble and performance in the parade. Additional compensation is provided to artists with the skill set and capacity to work with an outreach group. Proposed outreach groups must be defined in the artist application, though the CMA may assist in identifying other groups if the artist is interested in pursuing this opportunity. Supply stipends are provided to supplement creative material use and upcycling.  

All submissions and final works must adhere to the event guidelines.  

For more information, assistance in applying, or to sign up for a docent tour, please contact parade@clevelandart.org.  

Play Day: Puppet Play 

Ames Family Atrium 

Saturday, June 13, 2026 

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

Free. No Ticket Required.  

Discover how puppets have marched, danced, and dazzled through history across cultures and celebrations. Step into a joyful parade of puppets and imagination at our family artmaking event exploring the vibrant history of Parade the Circle at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Families will create colorful, personality-packed puppets with a local artist and bring them to life in a bustling theatre of stories and movement.  

Community Arts Center 

Explore community art making at the CAC! We are open every weekend to help families and individuals of all ages connect to art and expression. We invite you to drop in during our open hours or join us for a special workshop led by a professional artist! View our gallery exhibition, Parade the Circle: Celebrating 30 Years of Art and Community, to see puppets and costumes from prior events. Expose yourself to new materials and different perspectives. Learn more about community art making in Cleveland, workshops, and special events below! For more information, please visit www.clevelandart.org/cac. 

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About University Circle Inc. 

University Circle Inc. (UCI) is the community service corporation responsible for developing, serving, and advocating for University Circle as a vibrant and complete neighborhood. For more information, visit universitycircle.org (opens in a new tab). 

About the Cleveland Museum of Art 

The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The museum is a significant international forum for exhibitions, scholarship, and performing arts and is a leader in digital innovation. One of the leading encyclopedic art museums in the United States, the CMA is recognized for its award-winning open access program—which provides free digital access to images and information about works in the museum’s collection—and free of charge to all. The museum is located in the University Circle neighborhood with two satellite locations on Cleveland’s west side: the Community Arts Center and Transformer Station. 

The museum is supported in part by residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and made possible in part by the Ohio Arts Council (OAC), which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts. The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically. For more information about the museum and its holdings, programs, and events, call 888-CMA-0033 or visit cma.org.